The announcement was made at a Wednesday morning signing ceremony, April 26, at TJ Samson Community Hospital in Glasgow, KY.
The partnership allows nurses working full-time to earn an accredited baccalaureate degree in 18 months in a fully online format. TJ Samson employees pursuing a RN BSN degree will benefit from a reduced tuition rate from Lindsey Wilson College. Additionally, one TJ Samson employee in each entering RN BSN class will receive the LWC-TJ Samson RN BSN Scholarship.

According to LWC Nursing and Health Division Chair Marian Smith the agreement marks another milestone for the continued collaboration between the institutions. Since its inception, LWC has graduated 75 BSN prepared nurses and a self-study determined 22 percent of its graduates have been employed by TJ Samson.

"When we launched (a nursing program) in 2011, we sent five or six students to the hospital to do clinical rotations at the obstetrics unit," Smith said. "This academic year alone, we have placed students here for at least 50 clinical site placements. That means that students across the nursing curriculum come to T.J. Samson either in Glasgow or in Columbia or at the pavilion to fulfill their degree requirements in clinical practice."

President and Chief Executive Officer for TJ Regional Health Bud Wethington says the hospital is proud to be furthering its relationship with Lindsey Wilson.

"We desperately need more nurses in healthcare. We know this arrangement will encourage our employees to further their education and use it, day in and day out in their career, to give better care to our patients," said Wethington.

Lindsey Wilson College President William T. Luckey Jr says this is just the beginning of a great partnership.

"There are more things we can do for the community and our students," said Luckey. "We will work together and provide bright, educated nurses that will continue to help the hospital and have a positive impact on healthcare in our region."

LaDonna Rogers, chief human resources officer at TJ Regional Health said that while the hospital provides a tuition reimbursement program through other institutions - this is the only arrangement it has for a reduction in tuition.

The agreement will streamline the LWC admissions and enrollment process for TJ Samson employees. LWC graduate, Megan Keltner, a full-time employee of TJ Samson will work for Lindsey Wilson College as the onsite RN BSN coordinator at the hospital.

This story was posted on 2017-04-27 10:39:01

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